Thank you to TorTeen and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

** More accurate rating would be 4.5 stars **

Out the gate, I will admit, I was not expecting to like this book. I went into the book thinking it was going to be a cringy high school romance with no development.

Boy, was I wrong. This book was the perfect read after an emotionally heavy true crime read. It had all the nerdiness and geekiness I could have asked for. The main character, Viola resonated with me, as I went through a similar phase of not letting anyone come close to me or my heart. Her character development throughout the book was fantastic, and Jack was the perfect sweet to her salty.

Is it the best romance book ever written? No, but that's an almost impossible feat. Were the tropes and little twists and turns enjoyable? 120%. It was cute and sweet without being overly cringy, and I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, cute read.

There are so many thing I want to say but I'm not sure how to make it eloquent. Let's try anyways.



❗️SPOILERS AHEAD❗️
Twelfth Knight proposes itself as a fun YA novel where the star athlete and the least liked person in school form a friendship through online gaming and the school's ASB. All true.

What is not said about Twelfth Knight is that it's gonna read many of its readers to filth with Viola's struggle to let people see her as she truly is in fear of getting hurt. A very "Get them before the get you" way of life. It's about what it's like to be a woman is any community and to be looked down on for being a woman. What is not said about Twelfth Knight is how it's going to make you rethink your whole life alongside Jack when your life gets turned completely flipped out from under you. Quite "What am I gonna do with life if i can't do [xyz]?"

Here's what you'll get take from this: the path you've laid our for yourself is not the only path you can take. It's okay to stray from the path. And it's okay to let people in. You might get hurt but a life alone is not always the best thing. Better to have tried and get hurt than to never try and never know.

I had the most fun reading this book. I laughed, cried and was read to filth on so many occasions. I have an absolute deep love for Olivia and Bash.

Alexene has never let me down and she wasn't gonna start today. I absolutely devoured Twelfth Knight and am definitely crying after reading the acknowledgements (idk why but they always get me). Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

twelfth knight is a love letter to fandom in many ways, but most especially the unexpected community it can bring to those who feel like no one really sees them. there can often be a lot of anger in people like that and it feels earned when we see characters like these go for what they want for once. on the flip side, i also liked the depiction of microaggressions female gamers often see in the space. for a place that is meant for community, egos can often make the space unsafe, so it may take active reflection to move in the right direction sometimes.

(+ i will say i enjoy farol follmuth's writing less in the ya genre as she tends to overemphasize certain themes, but this would be great for a younger reader.)

I loved this book! I can definitely see myself bringing it into my classroom. It would be excellent to pair with essays about intersectional feminism, like "Eloquent Rage" and "Uses of Anger." Would certainly prompt conversations about micro-aggressions, consent, white supremacy, and the patriarchy.

Twelfth Knight is a nerdy slow burn, opposites- attract rom-com about two teenagers named Vi and Jack.
 
Vi is prickly and responsible and takes all of her jobs quite seriously; frustrated with how women are perceived and treated in the gaming industry.

Jack is the popular and easy-going jock who is adored by everyone. When an injury comes between everything he has worked hard for, he takes a step back and focusing on other things. 

A mutual acquaintance of both Vi and Jack introduces him to the online MMORPG game called Twelfth Knight; a game that Vi also plays .... secretly as a male character.

Through circumstances on the screen and off of it Vi and Jack bond over secrets and schemes, but ultimately there is one big secret that could ruin it all. The question is.....can they survive the aftermath once all is revealed ?

Twelfth Knight is absolutely perfect for those who love all things nerdy such as Dungeons & Dragons, video gaming, incredibly sarcastic female leads, and sweet understanding jocks. It also reminded me of Ali Hazelwood writing in its own way.

The only two parts about this story is the overuse of the word "like" and that it slightly touches on the author's view of religion. I didn't think it added much to the story and could have been left out.

I loved Viola, she is probably one of the most relatable characters I've ever related to .

The characters were very likeable in their individual ways, I loved how the unlikely ones were weaved into the overall story line. The ending was cute and perfect.

I had a blast reading Twelfth Knight, it was perfect to read in between genres .

I was lucky enough to get an ARC from Netgalley & Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review!

I’m a sucker for Arthurian retellings and that was my first thought when I saw the cover!! I really enjoyed this coming of age story between two teens who play a game called Twelfth Knight! Both our main characters definitely had a lot in their plates and went through a lot! I liked that they leaned on each other through the game chat!

Be sure to pick this up on June 28, 2024

Viola Reyes is more than just annoyed; she's a force to be reckoned with in Tor Teen's delightful novel, "Twelfth Knight." As an ardent lover of fantasy worlds, Viola's meticulously crafted tabletop game campaign is dismissed by her majority male group, pushing her into a realm where she feels truly in control—the MMORPG Twelfth Knight. There, she adopts the guise of Cesario, a knight, to carve out a safe haven. Little does she know, her virtual sanctuary is about to intertwine with the real world when the lackadaisical Student Body President, Jack Orsino, stumbles into the gaming universe following a football injury.

The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, offering a nuanced understanding of Viola and Jack, both complex characters dealing with their fair share of challenges. Viola, often labeled a "b*tch" due to her refusal to conform, undergoes remarkable development throughout the narrative. While her guarded exterior initially makes her a challenging character to connect with, her journey toward self-acceptance is deeply gratifying.

Jack Orsino, the star football player, provides a breath of fresh air, representing every teenager who thought they had life figured out until they realized they didn't. The dual perspectives allow readers to delve into Jack's headspace during difficult times, and his gradual feelings for Viola are both sweet and heartwarming.

The book beautifully weaves Shakespearean references into its tapestry, offering clever nods to "Twelfth Night." The charming dialogue and cute romance capture the essence of teenage experiences, making it relatable and heartwarming. The narrative masterfully blends elements of self-discovery, romance, and the world of online gaming, creating a story that resonates with the timeless essence of Shakespeare and the contemporary allure of gaming culture.

While Viola's journey may be challenging and occasionally frustrating, her determination to stay true to herself is commendable. The relationship between Viola and Jack is a perfect balance, each serving as precisely what the other needs on their individual journeys of self-discovery. The third-act breakup feels natural and adds a layer of authenticity to their evolving relationship.

"Twelfth Knight" is a captivating coming-of-age story that expertly combines romance and real-world issues. The novel's exploration of gaming culture and fandoms is both entertaining and relatable, catering to a wide audience, from seasoned gamers to those casually dipping their toes into the gaming realm.

Overall, "Twelfth Knight" is an enchanting read that delivers on its promises of romance, self-discovery, and the irresistible allure of virtual worlds. Whether you're a fan of Shakespearean retellings or simply looking for a heartwarming and relatable YA novel, this book is a delightful addition to your reading list. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Heading into this, you might want to know that: 1) this is a retelling of "Twelfth Night" (which I absolutely should of figured out, but I thought it was just a cute play on the title) 2) this was written by Olivie Blake (and I didn’t love "The Atlas Six"). I think you have to enjoy her style of writing and on-the-nose retellings to really like this. There are YA novels with similar plots that I’ve relished, but the wordiness and Shakespeare overlay just aren’t my jam.

A girl in armor on a cover is all the information I need to read a book.

In all seriousness, I’m not much of a romance reader, but the premise here is intriguing. A good romance book needs a balance with some relevant issue or a strong character growth arc. Twelfth Knight delivers on the former but misses with the latter.

Vi is a gamer. She loves board games, role-play games, and things considered “nerdy.” Unfortunately, that space isn’t known for being female-friendly. Sure, certain fandoms are more welcoming to girls, but it’s because there is a prominent romance or some sexist idea. Thanks to the resident gamer in my house (hi, sissy), I also know that Vi’s treatment is not exaggerated. The boys are horrible, mansplaining and calling her a “b*tch” when she dares to have an opinion. Vi doesn’t take it lying down; she burns those bridges with a smile. She doesn’t let others dictate what she enjoys and takes precautions to avoid unfair hate when possible.

I like characters who are deemed b*tches. More often than not, b*tch is synonymous with “doesn’t let people walk over me.” Vi’s character arc just came too late in the story. Yes, people within her hobby are awful, but she takes that attitude towards everyone. She has a chip on her shoulder, but it’s never fully addressed. She’s derogatory towards girly things, like cheerleading and makeup. While I didn’t expect her to like those activities, her comments weren’t necessary. Her suddenly getting into girly things would have been ingenuine, but a moment of self-reflection on her actions would have sufficed. She’s quick to judge the popular crowd, yet that behavior is never acknowledged.

The redemption at the end wasn’t quite what I expected. Vi gives herself a bunch of character traits that she never projected. Being mean and closed-off doesn’t mean you’re sensitive. Not once does Vi portray any sensitivity, which is the first problem. Her independence leans into a critical harshness that specific characters in the story don’t deserve. She makes for an interesting main lead, which is hard to do in a YA romance. I have mixed feelings about her, but I loved how she didn’t back down when men were inappropriate and rude. She needs an attitude adjustment towards everyday people; there is such a thing as too brutal.

Jack’s character arc is much smoother. His football injury sends him into a spin with no direction in life. With so much time on his hands, he finally gets to find his interests outside of football. I liked how his love for football translated into his other hobbies. There was no cringe epiphany that he hated sports; he just found that what made the game so special to him existed in different spaces. Her slowly grew into himself and his personality. There’s a missed opportunity to address Jack’s need to be likable. He bases his worth on what he can give people. His dad (also his coach), his brother, and even his teammates place stock on his football abilities. His anxiety about his injury is a massive part of his insecurity. This topic is brought up but isn’t fleshed out.

Vi and Jack are cute together. I’m a sucker for the grumpy and sunshine trope, especially when the girl is the grumpy one. Their personalities fit together well, in a weird way. I did appreciate that the third-act breakup felt natural to the story. The miscommunication in romances is usually unnecessary, but Vi and Jack’s foundation is shaky, so it made sense that a specific issue would cause some cracks.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There is a fantastic blend of romance and real-world issues. While I wanted more from the overall character arcs, the leads are still solid and have complex personalities. If you love fandoms and grumpy feminists who wield swords, give this one a go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group (Tor Teen) for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This books has both fantasy, gaming and sports wrapped into one book. I enjoyed how book is given dual POV so we are allowed to understand what each character is going through. I enjoyed the development of the characters.

Thank you for the arc!

I couldn't resist diving in when I heard of a Twelfth Night Shakespearean retelling within the realm of MMORPGs. As a devoted fan of Shakespeare retellings, the concept alone had me hooked from the start, and I'm pleased to say that this novel delivered!!

The narrative unfolds as a captivating coming-of-age story, with the spotlight on Viola as she navigates the
landscape of high school, friendships, and the rollercoaster of a blossoming romance. All the while, Viola conceals her true identity within the virtual world of an MMORPG. It blends elements of self-discovery, teenage romance, and the universe of online gaming, creating a narrative that resonates with both the timeless essence of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and the contemporary allure of gaming culture.

The novel's portrayal of gaming and fandoms strikes a chord, effortlessly transporting me back to a time when I, too, was immersed in the world of online gaming. The references are not only entertaining but also relatable, catering to both seasoned gamers and those who casually dip their toes into the gaming realm.

The dialogue and romance are charmingly cute, capturing the awkward yet endearing nature of teenage experiences. The dual perspectives of Viola and Jack offer a nuanced understanding of their characters, making their personal growth and the evolution of their relationship all the more compelling and fun to read. Viola and Jack, the central characters, form a perfect balance, each serving as precisely what the other needs on their individual journeys of self-discovery.

Honesty I don't know what else to say but the fact that I liked this book and to go read it yourself!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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(づ🎮⊂)🥡
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(づ🎮⊂)🥡

"Twelfth Knight" by Alexene Farol Follmuth, a YA romantic comedy and coming-of-age story, follows the protagonist Viola Reyes as she navigates the challenges of high school, friendship, and a budding romance.

Viola, also known as Vi, is dealing with various frustrations—from the rejection of her carefully crafted tabletop game campaign to the suggestion that she should be more "likable." As the Vice President of her school, she finds herself at odds with the laid-back Student Body President, Jack Orsino. To escape the pressures of the real world, Vi immerses herself in the MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) Twelfth Knight. In this virtual realm, she adopts the persona of Cesario, a masculine alter ego, creating a space where she feels more accepted.

The plot takes an interesting turn when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to discover Twelfth Knight, and Vi is surprised to find that their online alter egos, Cesario and Duke Orsino, share a unique connection. As they engage in discussions about life and love within the game, Vi and Jack begin to form a bond that goes beyond their virtual personas. However, Vi is faced with the dilemma of concealing her true identity from Jack, leading to potential complications in their budding offline relationship.

"Twelfth Knight" explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the complexities of relationships, both online and offline. The blend of romance, comedy, and the gaming world offers a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by young adults in today's interconnected society.

If you've had the opportunity to read "Twelfth Knight," feel free to share your thoughts on how the book handles themes of identity and relationships in the context of both the virtual and real worlds.

This book is incredible for readers of all youth ages and carries an important message. It bridges genres and topics being both about nerd things but also sport life with themes reading from social commentary of social divisions to lighter themes such as angst and romance. Many books try hard to achieve this but compared to this book all others have failed.

(4.5) Viola Reyes is annoyed. It’s true. Viola Reyes loves the fantasy world and after one of her game campaigns was shot down by her group which is a majority of boys, she’s had it with people. Meanwhile, Jack Orsino, the star football player, has suffered a severe knee injury which will have him out of the field for at least a year. Now, Jack has taken to playing a video game called Twelfth Knight where he makes a friend, Cesario, who in real life is Viola. However, Jack doesn’t know that, so in real life he’s enemies with Viola but close friends through the game.

Viola is such a complex character because many of the closest people don’t understand her. I had a hard time trying to make an opinion of her and her actions. She wasn’t the most likable person to most people and was often referred to as a “bitch”. She truly believed she was bitch and hid behind that term so that people didn’t have high expectations of her. Of course, she did have some things to work on like letting others in and not being afraid to show emotion but I feel like a lot of the people around her made her feel like she was the worst person ever. When in reality she's a teenage girl who’s angry at the world and still learning how to deal with those emotions. By the end, you could see an overall development in Viola, and dare I even say she seemed to be happy.

Jack was such a breath of fresh air. He represents every teenage kid who thought they had it figured out until they released, oh wait, I don’t. I’m happy that this book was duo POV and we were able to also see Jack’s POV of everything going on. It allowed us to understand his headspace during a time that was difficult for him. Also, it was so sweet to see how he gradually grew feeling for Viola and how he was one of the few people who didn’t view her as a horrible person. Whether he knew it or not, Viola was there for him and it was great to see their relationship blossom. They were exactly what the other person needed and they make a perfect balance. I loved this book and I can’t wait for the author’s next YA book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Tor Teen for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Viola escapes from her world by playing Twelfth knight- a MMORPG. She pretends to be a guy to avoid unwanted attention. Jack Orsino - her annoying student president decided to join and they play well together surprisingly.

Tons of celever references to Shakespear's Twelve Night. The book is fun and sweet. Really enjoy it. Great characters with Jack and Viola.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.